I THESSALONIANS
2. For you yourselves know perfectly well that the day of the Lord’s return will come as unexpectantly and suddenly as a thief in the night.
3. When people are saying, All is well and secure, and there is peace and safety, then in a moment unforeseen destruction (ruin and death) will come upon them as suddenly as labor pains come upon a woman with child; and they shall by no means escape, for there will be no escape.
4. But you are not given up to the power of darkness, brethren, for that day to overtake you by surprise like a thief.
5. For you are all sons of light and sons of the day; we do not belong either to the night or to darkness.
The devastation in North Carolina becomes clearer and clearer. There are believable reports of more than 10,000 dead and 10,000 displaced. There are 30-40 cities that are just gone. The government is not helping but stopping any help they can. There are no National Guard except a few teen-agers they sent.
There is no money from certain benefits. The people are in need and no one is listening. The people there are suffering from the chemicals that were buried there that no one knew about. An eyewitness report said there are FEMA Camps that are filled with weapons. Why? CPS is coming and taking away their children from them. It goes from bad to worse.
This is unforeseen death and destruction. In light of all this, how are we to live?
In this scripture Paul is saying to his people that they are not given to the power of darkness because they are sons of light. Now what do we know about becoming the sons of God or the sons of light?
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. KJV
Romans 8:4 So that the righteous and just requirement of the Law might be fully met in us, who live and move not in the ways of the flesh but in the ways of the Spirit – our lives governed not by the standards and according to the dictates of the flesh but controlled by the Holy Spirit.
Romans 8:14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God.
This is telling us that to be led by the flesh is death and to be led by the Spirit is life and soul-peace, which is what we need when He returns.
What does it mean to be led by the flesh? It means the flesh controls your behavior. Today there are so many Mega Churches who never rebuke anyone. They make sinners feel comfortable in their midst. The Church never speaks a word against sitting in front of a screen or the media ruling their lives.
Paul’s people did not have the media or fast-food chains to deal with. How many in the Church are truly led by the Spirit? It is as the Lord said to me. “I am coming back, and My people are not ready.”
They are being taught the rapture of the Church will come before the wrath of God because of the 5th chapter of 1 Thessalonians. Many believe they will be raptured away when they are bound by the flesh. What happens to these people when the wrath of God hits and they are still here facing unprecedented destruction?
Matthew 24:10 And many will be offended and repelled and begin to distrust and desert Him Whom they ought to trust and obey and will stumble and fall away, and betray one another with hatred.
That I believe is the great falling away and is the product of false shepherds who are not teaching the truth.